Apparatus for filtering and agitating plating solutions



9 s. s. CADY ET AL 2,657,270

APPARATUS FOR FILTERING AND AGITATING PLATING SOLUTIONS iled Nov. 21, 1951 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 III IIH I l flll'l Ill.

1954 S. s. cADY ET AL 2,667,270

APPARATUS FOR FILTERING AND AGITATING PLATING SOLUTIONS iled Nov. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1/5 //VV'/V7'0/?5 sun/45x5. may w/wmv 5. 5/15/1774 'are open to the annular chamber. cylindrical filtering element divides said annular chamber into external, and internal annular compartments.

Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT ossrcs ArPARA-rI-Is FOR FILTERING AND AGITATING- BLATING. SOLUTIONS;

StanleyS. Cady, St. Paul, and Winston E.

' Sabatka,,Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 21, 1951, Serial N 257,477

I The inventionherein presents an apparatus for filtering and agitating plating solutions.

'exterior and interior cylindrical elements pro.-

viding an, annular chamber therebetween. A pump cylinder below the hollow interior cylindrical element houses pump plungers propelled by a drive shaft. Outlets from the pump cylinder A hollow A horizontal wall separates the lower end of the hollow interior cylindrical element from the pump cylinder, save for an inlet through said horizontal wall, and a horizontal partition within said hollow interior cylindrical element, above said horizontal wall, separates an upper portion of a concavity provided by the hollow interior cylindrical element from a lower portion of said concavity contiguous with the horizontal wall, save for an opening through said horizontal partition. A floating cylinder controls flow of plating solution tolthe concavity of the tion. Means also is included for backwashing the filtering element thus to cause it to be cleaned.

With the floating cylinder at, a relatively low elevation and the pump pistons in operation, plating solution will flow into the pump cylinder from the tank and be forced through the filtering element back into an upper portion of said tank. With the floating cylinder at a comparatively high elevation, plating solution can be drawn from the bottom of the tank into the pump cylinder and forced to the top of said tank, as, for example, to circulate diatomaceous earth throughout the plating solution.

In theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,

Fig; 1 isa perspective view, partially in section and partially broken away, of an apparatus made according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional View of the apparatus; 7

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view corresponding generallywith the disclosure ofFig. 2-but showing a floating cylinder of the apparatus in a different position; I

Fig. 4 is a. side elevational view, partially in section and partially broken away, on the scale of Fig. 2, of the apparatus, disclosing parts additional to those shown in Figs.- 1 and 2; and- Fig. 5 a side elevational view, on. a reduced scale, disclosing the apparatus as when sup- 8 Claims. (CL- 210-151) 2 ported within a tank containing plating solution to be filtered and agitated.

A rigid container 9' of the apparatus includes a relatively long, hollow exterior cylindrical element, I0 and a relatively short, hollow interior cylindrical element l'l within and in spaced, concentric relation to said hollow exterior cylindrical element. The hollow interior cylindrical element II is at the elevation of a lower portionof the hollow exterior cylindrical element it, the lower ends of said hollow interior and exterior cylindrical elements terminate in asingle plane, and an annular chamber i2 between and bounded by the hollow interior and exterior cylindrical elements is closed at its upper end'by a horizontal annular wall 13 rigid with and perpendicular to said hollow interior and exterior cylindrical elements and at elevation below the upper end of thehollow exterior cylindrical element. The lower ends of the hollow interior and exterior cylindrical elements, as well as the lower end of the annular chamber 12, are closed by a base member 14 of flat material, constituting a bottom wall of the container, removably secured, as at 15, to flanges it on the lower end of the hollow exterior cylindrical element Hi and up against the lower end l'l of the hollow interior cylindrical element H.

A horizontal annular wall H3, in the lower end portion of the hollow interior cylindrical element H and spaced relation to the, base wall it, constitutes the upper wall of. a pump cylinder !9 bounded at its. lower side by said, base Wall and at its periphery by the lowerv portion, of, the hollow interior cylindrical element II. .An inlet 2G to the pump cylinder 19' is bounded by the inner marginal edge of said; horizontal annular wall l8, outlets, 2| from said pump 'cylinderto the annular chamber [2 are constituted as. perforations in said hollow. interior cylindrical element, and exceptfcr the inlet 20 and the outlets 21 the pump cylinder leis closed.

V A horizontal partition 22 within the hollow interior cylindricalelement II separates an in,-

termediate portion 23, of a concavity boundedby said hollow interior cylindrical element,,above the horizontal annular wall l8 and contiguous with the inlet 20, from an upper; portion-of said concavity, above the horizontal partition, save for an opening 24' through saidhorizontal partition bounded by an upwardly facing; conical surface 25. I

A drive shaft 26 extendingaxially through'the container 9 has an intermediate portion thereof rotatably mounted, as. at 21, in the horizontal tubular element 38 the pump cylinder [9 and forced by said pistons 1 through the outlets 2| into the annular cham- 7 ber 12. Y

The annular chamber i2 is divided into ex ternal and internal annular compartments, denoted 32 and 33, respectively, by a hollow cylindrical filtering element 34 in spaced, concentric relation to both the internal'surface of the exterior cylindrical element l and the external surface of the interior cylindrical element Ii. The opposite endsof the hollow cylindrical filtering element 34 are fitted andsnugly seated in circular grooves, represented 35 and 36, respectively, in the annular wall I 3 and the'base wall l4.

An upper portion of the exterior cylindrical element 10 integrally supports an outwardly extending, first tubular element 3'! in perpendicular relation to the container 9, and said first tubular element in turn integrally supports a second in parallel relation to said container and extending to position both above and below the first tubular element 3'1. The second tubular element 33 rotatably supports a pipe 39 fitted to said second tubular element in fluid-tight manner and against longitudinal movement. A lower end portion 40 of the pipe 39, extends to position below the second tubular element 38, and an upp portion M of said pipe extends to position above saidsecond tubular element. Manually operable valves assembled with the upper end portion Q1 of the pipe 39 are designated 42 and d3, respectively, and an outlet connection from the valve 42 is indicated 44. An oblique partition 45 across the pipe 39, at the elevation of the first tubular element 31 and an intermediat portion of the second tubular element 38, separates the lower and upper end portions 40 and 3! of the pipe 39 from each other. Said pipe is adapted to be the first tubular element?! and a port ll in a part of said pipe below the oblique partition 435, while shutting off communication between said exterior annular chamber and the interior of the upper end portion 41 of the pipe, or to position as in Fig. 4 to afford communication between said external annular chamber 32 and the interior of the upper end portion 4| of said pipe, by way, of said passage 46 and a port 48 in apart of the pipe'above the oblique partition 45, while shutting off communication'between the exterior annular chamber and the interior of the lower end portion 40 of said pipe. i

The drive shaft 26 can be rotated in any manner which may be preferred. As disclosed, a

pulley 43 upon said drive shaft, above the container 3, is for'accomplishing its rotation, Agitating propellers upon the drive shaft, below the container 9, are denoted 50.

When the apparatus is applied to use, the

container 9, with appurtenances, will be situated in a tank, such as 5|, containing plating solution 3L Means for supporting said container 9 for vertical adjustment in plating solution insaid was low cylindrical member 56.

I ward faster plating.

tank is as shown constituted as an L-member 52 having its longer vertical arm secured, as at 53, to the exterior cylindrical element I0 and its shorter horizontal arm "secured, as at 54, upon an upright 55, fixedly supported by the tank, for adjustment longitudinally of said upright.

A floating cylinder of the apparatus is constituted as a hollow cylindrical member 56 snugly fitted into'and vertically slidable in the upper end portion'of'the exterior cylindrical element [0, and a. hollow annular member 51 integral or rigid with an interior, lower portion of said hol- The construction and arrangement will be such that with increase of depth of plating solution in the upper portion of the container 9 the floating cylinder will be elevated to cause its hollow cylindrical member to project toincreasing extent above the upper end of the exterior cylindrical element [0, and

with decrease of depth of plating solution in the upper portion of said container said floating cylinder will become depressed to cause its hollow cylindrical member to project to decreasing extent above the upper end of said exterior cylindrical element. 7

The openingZ through the horizontal partition 22 is for removably containing one end portion 58 of an intake pipe 59 while the other end portion Gil of said intake pipe is situated ator near the bottom of the tank 5|. As shown, the end portion 53 of the intake pipe 59 includes a downwardly facing conical part 6| to be snugly fitted to and down against the upwardly facing conical surface 25 bounding said opening 24. See Figs2and4.

The apparatus is capable of employment to perform several useful services. e

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, where the floating cylinder is at elevation to situate the upper end of the hollow cylindrical member 56 of said floating cylinder below the surface of plating solution, as in atank such as 5!, when the driveshaft 26 is set in operation, thus to actuate the pump pistons 29, plating solution will be forced from the pump cylinder I9 intofthe interior annular compartment 33, through the filtering element 34 into the exterior annular compartment 32, and through the passage 46, the port 41 and the lower end portion 45 of the pipe 39 into said tank, 'whileat the same time plating solution is running, or being skimmed,

from an upper level of plating solution in said ing propellers 50 will be operative allof the time while the pump isin operation. {skimming oil the surface of plating solution is a desirable operation because it causes'surface impurities to be removed. Agitation for tendency to- As shown iri Figsfd and 5," lhere the intake M 359 is in p a w fit 'e shaft is set in operation to actuate the pumppistons25, with the upper portion of the containeneand the floating cylindersituated above the filtering solution level,asin Fig *5, 'plating solution will be drawn orsuckedffrom'the tank fil through saidintake' pipe 59; into'the pumpcylinderllil,

an t w d romr a d Pum cy pds i 2 11 terior annular compartment E33, through the filtering element 34 into the exterior annular chamber 32, and through the passage 46, the port 48 and the upper end portion 4| of the pipe 39 by way of the valve 42 and the outlet connection 44 back into the tank 5|.

When parts of the apparatus are situated as in Figs. 4 and 5, with the intake pipe 59 removed, as in Fig. 2, and the drive shaft 26 is set in operation to actuate the pump pistons 29, there can be circulation of plating solution is a continuous system including the filtering element and the pump cylinder as part thereof. This is, plating solution will be forced from said pump cylinder into the interior annular compartment 33, through the filtering element 34 into the exterior annular compartment 32, and through the passage 45, the port 48 and the upper end portion 4| of the pipe 39 by way of the valve 42 and the outlet connection 44 to the container 9 and the pump cylinder by way of the opening 24. Such circulation desirably will be established immediately after loose or porous diatomaceous earth, intended to enhance the quality of the filtering element, has been added to the container 9. Stated otherwise, circulation of plating solution containing diatomaceous earth through the filtering element 34, in the manner as set forth, will render said filtering element capable of more efiiciently performing its intended service than otherwise would be the case.

The filtering element 34 can be cleaned by backwashing, with the parts situated as in Figs. 4 and 5 and the pump inoperative, in response to reverse flow through the upper end portion 4| of the pipe 39 accomplished by opening the valve 43, to allow flow of water under pressure from a source (not shown), and closing the valve 42. That is to say, supposing the upper end portion 4! of the pipe 39 to be connected with a source of water under pressure controlled by the valve 43, said valve could be opened to establish forced flow reversely through said pipe, the passage 45, the filtering element 34 and the pump cylinder.

A drain plug in the base member or wall 14 is represented 62. Of course, the drain plug 62 will be removed, and the apparatus will be free of plating solution when backwashing of the filtering element 34 is accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for filtering plating solutions, a hollow exterior element, a hollow interior element within and in spaced relation to said hollow exterior element and providing therewith an annular chamber, a wall extending between portions of said hollow exterior and interior elements and closing an upper end of said annular chamber, a base member closing a lower end of said annular chamber and lower ends of said hollow exterior and interior elements, a pump cylinder within a lower portion of said hollow interior element, an inlet to said pump cylinder, an outlet from the pump cylinder to said annular chamber, a pump plunger in said pump cylinder, means for actuating said pump plunger, a hollow filtering element in said annular chamber in spaced relation to said hollow exterior and interior elements and having its opposite ends contiguous with said wall and said base member, respectively, an outlet from said.

hollow exterior element, a hollow interior member snugly fitted into and vertically slidable in an upper portion of said hollow exterior element, and a float member rigid with an interior lower portion of said hollow interior member.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said base member is detachably assembled with said hollow exterior and interior elements and said hollow filtering element is removably situated in said annular chamber.

3. The combination as. specified in claim 1, and a partition wall within said hollow interior element in spaced relation to said pump cylinder, said partition wall being provided with an opening for snugly receiving a pipe connection.

4. The combination as specified in claim 1, and an agitator rigid with said means for actuating said pump plunger and situated below said base member.

5. In an apparatus for filtering plating solutions, a hollow exterior element, a hollow interior element within and in spaced relation to said hollow exterior element and providing therewith an annular chamber, a wall extending between portions of said hollow exterior and interior elements and closing an upper end of said annular. chamber, a base member closing a lower end of said annular chamber and lower ends of said hollow exterior and interior elements, a pump cylinder within a lower portion of said hollow interior element, an inlet tosaid pump cylinder, an outlet from the pump cylinder to said annular chamber, a pump plunger in said pump cylinder, means for actuating said pump plunger, a hollow filtering element in said annular chamber in spaced relation to said hollow exterior and interior elements and having its opposite ends contiguous with said wall and base member, respectively, an outlet from said hollow exterior element, a tubular element supported by said hollow exterior element, a pipe rotatably fitted to the tubular element and having portions extending both upwardly and downwardly from said tubular element, an oblique partition across said pipe at the elevation of said outlet from said hollow exterior element and separating said upwardly and downwardly extending portions of the pipe from each other, said pipe having a first port therein below the oblique partition and a second port therein above said oblique partition adapted to be selectively alined with said outlet from said hollow exterior element.

6. The combination as specified in claim 5,an outlet connection from said upwardly extending portion of said pipe, and a manually operable valve for controlling said outlet connection.

7. The combination as specified in claim 5, an inlet connection to said upwardly extending portion of said pipe, and a manually operable valve for controlling said inlet connection.

8. The combination as specified in claim 5, an outlet connection from said upwardly extending portion of said pipe, a manually operable valve for controlling said outlet connection, an inlet connection to said upwardly extending portion of said pipe, and a manually operable valve for controlling said inlet connection.

STANLEY S. CADY. WINSTON E. SABATKA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Schneider Aug. 31, 1948 

